Man City refuses to let Man Utd players hitchhike to Ballon d’Or awards ceremony

Man Utd’s board of directors sent a request to Man City to let two players hitchhike to the Ballon d’Or awards ceremony in Paris, but was rejected.

Man Utd expressed interest in asking Man City to allow two players, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, to take a private jet to France. However, the Etihad Stadium hosts declined, citing that the jet was fully booked

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According to British newspaper Sportmail, the reigning Premier League champions chartered a private jet to take a large number of their members to the ceremony at the Chatelet theater, Paris, France on the evening of October 28.

Man Utd suggested that Man City let two players Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo hitchhike to France. But the Etihad Stadium owner refused on the grounds that the private jet was full.

Man Utd’s request was made in the context that billionaire Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS group are implementing many cost-cutting measures. Sending two players by private jet to the Ballon d’Or awards ceremony is not considered appropriate in the current context.

Ratcliffe is the richest billionaire in England. After buying a 27.7% stake in Man Utd in early 2024, he has carried out a series of behind-the-scenes restructurings, leading to the reduction of 250 staff, including global ambassador – the legendary Alex Ferguson.

Previously, Man Utd gave FA Cup final tickets to 1,100 staff to Wembley, supporting food and hotel accommodation. But in the FA Cup final against Man City last season, staff had to pay 26 USD for their own travel and all other benefits were canceled, except for a free ticket to the final.

Garnacho and Mainoo are nominated for the Kopa Trophy – the award for the best player under 21. Man Utd did not have any players nominated for the men’s Ballon d’Or, while Man City contributed four names, namely Ruben Dias, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland and Rodri.

In the women’s category, Yui Hasegawa, Lauren and Khadija Shaw are among the nominees for Man City. Savinho – a Brazilian midfielder who plays for Man City – is nominated for the Kopa Trophy, but last season’s achievements while playing for Girona are taken into account.

In the best coach category, Pep Guardiola will compete with Xabi Alonso (Bayer Leverkusen), Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid), Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta), Luis de la Fuente (Spain) and Lionel Scaloni (Argentina).